It might be more accurate to call him an antagonist. His earliest appearances were full of villain-type symbolism as well; though he really didn’t do anything truly villainous, he did tend to stand in shadows and keep a watch on the protagonist from behind the scenes (usually the mark of a manipulative villain).

This is true. Charlie even called him out on it. Seems like he may just really have a dramatic flair. Maybe that overpowers what others see in him, so instead of seeing his ideas and possible forward thinking, they just see an “evil” ham.